A few quick thoughts about 4 states whose roles in this primary have been discussed much.
Iowa & New Hampshire have, once again, chosen the nominee. As a matter of fact, the only people left standing are the four candidates who won those two states. So, once again the rest of the nation is just rubberstamping their results. Yet, no one seems to be complaining.
Iowa & New Hampshire do not need to go first. (Yes I am from Iowa) What does need to happen is to have small states go first. The logic is borne out more on the Republican side this year. If we want to just have the person with the most money be the nominee hold national primaries. But in order for everyone to have a chance to compete, the smaller states must go first.
Now the number of smaller states and the order can all be up for debate, but the facts aren't. Only small states allow all the candidates a chance to compete by actually meeting voters. Those voters are more informed and able to make a better decision. Even Obama admits he needs to meet the people to close the deal. No amount of money can replace time.
That is the other thing needed. Is time between contests to allow the process to occur organically.
As to those who wished to upstage Iowa & New Hampshire. What to do with those two rebel states?
THEY CAN NOT HAVE NEW ELECTIONS!
Otherwise they get exactly what they want. To play the most important role in the selection of the next president. They will be rewarded for breaking the rules.
I can make the argument for sitting the delegates. These were fair contests. No one campaigned in either state. No one forced Obama to pull his name off the ballot in Michigan. In Florida, they both earned delegates. Let them sit and they were penalized because they had no visits, which is all they were looking for.
I can make the argument against the delegates. You knew the rules. You broke the rules. Come back for the acceptance speech.
I can't make the argument for a new election.
I would prefer they delegates seated as is. Let the undecideds from Michigan be neutral on the first ballot. They will still pick the nominee on the second. (Although if it is that close John Edwards 26 delegates may make the difference.)